It’s been two weeks since Catersha left Starbase Bravo for Starbase 72. Lieutenant Commander Aramis Lionel sat at the bar of a lounge on the Upper Promenade in Starbase Bravo. He was nursing his drink, a strong one hundred year old Tennessee whiskey from Earth. He couldn’t get over his feelings for his old flame Catersha. He was lucky to have run across her here on Starbase Bravo, but they had to part ways again.

“Sometimes life just sucks,”Aramis muttered to himself, taking a big sip.

“Yes it can.”

Aramis set his drink down and slowly looked up. He saw a strange dark skinned lady with long black curls and wore a plum colored civilian outfit. Her warm smile and sparkling eyes welcomed Aramis to the station’s lounge. Her dark, curly hair framed a heart-shaped face, and a sprinkle of freckles across her cheeks added to her playful demeanor. A hint of El-Aurian heritage was evident in her expressive features, and her empathic nature made her a favorite among the crew.

“Do I know you Miss…” Aramis asked her, an inquiring look in his face.

The bartender stood in front of him and slightly leaned over the bar, wearing a friendly smile.

“My name is Sarita. My god-mother talked me into being a bartender. She was the bartender for a very famous starship and always had the ear and shoulder for a white bald man.”

Aramis’s facial features changed when he realized who she was talking about. Aramis went to reach out to shake her hand.

“It is a pleasure to meet you Sarita. I’ve heard interesting stories about your god-mother.”

Serita gazed at Aramis intently as he shook her hand. After Aramis let go of her hand, she asked him softly.

“So…you gonna tell me what is bothering you or do I have to guess?”

Aramis slowly exhaled, kinda not wanting to talk about his feelings. He never was really comfortable doing that.

“My old Academy flame just left for her reassignment.” He looked past Serita to the back bar, recalling what his Academy days were like. “We dated in 2377 and 2378 and had to break it off when she graduated. We didn’t really keep in contact with each other. Then I just saw her here a few days ago and all those buried feelings burst to the top. We ended up resuming our relationship when we met for lunch a few days ago, after we talked.” He took a long sip of his drink before continuing. “Now she is gone again to her new assignment and I don’t know when, or if, I’ll see her again…especially with this subspace ‘Blackout’.” He downed the rest of his drink.

She looked at him with a sympathic look, replying to him. “im sorry about that, however, I feel like things between you two are not done. The universe works in mysterious ways.”

She gave him her best smile and then refilled his glass. He nodded his thanks to her and took a sip as he started to consider what she just told him. His comm badge chirped and he frowned. He tapped his comm badge.

“Lionel here.”

“This is an automated messages for Lieutenant Commander Lionel. This is a reminder to report to Starbase Operations Center at 0800 tomorrow. Please acknowledge,” the cold, emotionless voice of the main computer announced.

Aramis, still frowning, he responded. “Acknowledged.” He tapped it again to close the channel. He glanced at Serita, downing his second drink, sliding the empty glass to her. “Duty calls. See you next time Serita.”

“Be careful out there Aramis, the galaxy is a cruel, dark place and a bad storm is coming,” Serita softly said, giving him a reassuring smile.

Aramis nodded and walked out through the open doorway of the lounge and our into the Upper Promenade of the Starbase. It was very late and having the equivalent of three big shots of whiskey, he was starting to feel it, especially not eating something before he started drinking. He headed towards the main turbolift and down to his assigned quarters.

“I’m gonna regret this in the morning,” he said to himself, groaning.

He stumbled through the corridors, his legs feeling like jelly as he struggled to maintain his balance. The ship’s familiar surroundings seemed to blur and spin around him, making it difficult to focus. He managed to navigate his way to his quarters, the door sliding open with a soft hiss as he staggered inside. He made a beeline for his bed, his body screaming for rest.

As he reached the bed, his legs gave out beneath him, and he collapsed onto the soft, cool surface. He landed on his stomach, his uniform rumpled and twisted beneath him. His head spun, and his vision began to blur, but he didn’t have the energy to move, to change out of his uniform or even to pull the covers over himself. He simply lay there, his body feeling like it had been hit by a barrage of quantum torpedoes, each one exploding with a burst of fire and light that left him reeling.

The darkness closed in around him, a welcome respite from the spinning, whirling chaos that had consumed him. He felt himself being pulled down, down into the depths of unconsciousness, and he went willingly, letting the darkness take him, letting it wash over him like a cool, soothing balm. He was out, lost in a deep, dreamless sleep, before he even realized it.

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

The computer panel at his bedside was beeping to get his attention. It was the preset alarm clock he set yesterday. Lieutenant Commander Aramis Lionel groaned as he slowly climbed from the pit of unconsciousness and up to waking up at the sound of the unending beeping. He rolled onto his back and sat up on the end of the bed.

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

Aramis glanced at the lot computer panel and slapped it, managing to hit the key that turned the beeping alarm off. He groaned more, holding his head, as he saw the digital readout. It showed the time as being 0600.

“Yup, definitely gonna regret last night. Only got maybe a few hours of sleep. The things I do for Starfleet sometimes.”

He struggled to stand up and pad his way to the sonic shower. He noticed a brand new unit was installed. He thought to himself how that was possible when he didn’t even put a work order in. He quickly took a shower and put on a freah uniform. He has the computer replicate a cup of strong black coffee. The replicator unit whirred and a silver colored coffee cup, with the Starfleet logo on it, appeared, wifts of steam coming from the top and the aroma of the coffee filling his quarters. He carefully grabbed the cup and took a small sip, savoring the taste and flavor. He felt the coffee energizing him, boosting his energy levels.

“Computer, time please,” he asked.

In an emotionally devoid tone, it responded, “the time is 0740.”

“Better get going then.”

Aramis walked out of his quarters and towards the main turbolift to head to Operations for his meeting. He was curious about why he was being summoned to the Starbase Operations center. The turbolift slowed down and then came to a stop. The doors parted and revealed the entire Operations center. It was a huge room with a bunch of officers walking around or sitting at stations, all were conducting Starbase and Fleet Operations from here. Aramis slowly stepped forward, out of the lift. The doors swooshed closed behind him. Aramis started to walk around, looking at the various stations and catching pieces of conversations between officers. One thing he noticed is that everyone was talking about this damned ‘Blackout’ that has enveloped the entire Alpha and Beta Quadrants.

A tall, experienced looking gentleman walked up to Aramis, standing next to him as Aramis was looking over the shoulder of a Lieutenant working his computer console.

“You must be Lieutenant Commander Lionel.”

Aramis turned to the man next to him.

Aramis noticed the Admiral rank pips on his collar and straightened up, at near attention. The Admiral smiled.

“At ease son. I don’t stand on formality here. Welcome to the Operations Center. How has your stay been so far here at Starbase 72? Good I hope.”

Aramis turned towards the Admiral. “It has been a fairly good experience so far. Had an issue with my sonic shower a few days ago but I noticed it’s been replaced.”

“Oh yea. My daughter’s best friend Catersha told me about that that night and I issued a priority repair on it. How did it feel?”

Aramis slightly shook his head and slightly laughed. “That woman…,” Aramis said to himself.

“I’m sorry, did you say something,” the Admiral asked.

Aramis answered him. “No sir, I was talking to myself. Catersha is an Academy old flame and loves teasing me. The new sonic shower works great sir. Thank you.”

“I’m glad I was able to help there.” The Admiral’s face turned more serious. “Now to business…here are your official orders from Command.”

The Admiral handed Aramis a PADD, showing him his official orders.

“The USS Carlsbad? That’s a California class starship.” Aramis commented.

“Yes it is. The USS Carlsbad needs an experienced Executive Officer and that is you Aramis. You can thank Cat as well for that as well. Apparently she has pulled a string with the Starfleet Top Brass and managed to get you posted to the USS Carlsbad. With this ‘Blackout’ supposedly caused by this Vaadwaur civilization, I need experienced officers in the field. The commanding officer for the USS Carlsbad is a green shirt. The USS Carlsbad is heading here to pick you up and drop off & pick up supplies, then head back to Starbase 72. Any questions Commander?”

Aramis looked at the Admiral when he thought he misheard. The Admiral was smiling.

“Excuse me sir, but with all due respect, you made a mistake on my rank,” Aramis said lightly, looking around.

“It’s not a mistake. I hereby promote you to the rank of Commander and give you all the rights and responsibilities to that rank,” the Admiral boasted so everyone in Operations could hear the announcement.

Aramis’s face turned red at the sudden attention. He always preferred to be in the background. He shook the Admiral’s outstretched hand.

“Thank you Admiral. When will the USS Carlsbad arrive?”

The Admiral smiled at Aramis. “In two days, Commander. She has no time to wait here. It’s a ‘grab and go’ first mission for her captain.”

Aramis asked, “Who is the captain?”

The Admiral’s smile got bigger, “that is the big surprise. I’m not allowed to tell you.”

Commander Aramis Lionel scowled at the Admiral. “Orders understood Admiral. I’ll be ready to go by the time Carlsbad arrives.”

“Very well Aramis. Enjoy your remaining time here on the Starbase,” the Admiral stuck his hand out again and Aramis shook it.

“Admiral?” A Lieutenant called to get the Admiral’s attention.

“I got to go, Aramis. Good luck out there,” the Admiral said, then walked away to the Lieutenant that was waiting for him.

Aramis turned and got inside the waiting turbolift and went back to the Upper Promenade for lunch, then he had to pack his stuff up and be ready for the arrival of the USS Carlsbad and his new duties.